Stephanie Rice Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

MELBOURNE, Australia, December 13. SHORTLY after withdrawing from the Queensland State Championships being held in Brisbane, three-time Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Rice elected to undergo surgery to repair a tendon tear in her right shoulder. The news was reported by various Australian media outlets based on Rice's Twitter account posts.

"I have just undergone an Arthroscopy on my right shoulder which had a small tear in the tendon," Rice tweeted. "Everything else was a-ok and should be back in the water before Christmas."

This news comes on the heels of Rice's announcement that the 2012 London Olympics would be her last if she is able to return from injury and make the team.

Rice had an amazing run at the 2008 Beijing Games, winning gold in the 200 IM and 400 IM as well as helping Australia to the 800 freestyle relay victory. She also has a pair of long course world championship runner-up finishes from 2009, and five other bronzes in world championship competition.